Admission to schools in Pembrokeshire - Information for Parents

1

(English medium school)

All pupils experience areas of learning through the medium of English.

At least 15% of the learners’ school activities (both curricular and extra-curricular) will be in Welsh.

A learner in a school of this category will be able to read, write, speak and listen in English according to age and ability, and will have some understanding of Welsh. Welsh will be taught and assessed as part of the Area of Learning and Experience (AoLE) for languages, literacy and communication.

English is the school’s main language of internal communication as well as with parents and carers. There is recognition that creating a Welsh language ethos within the school will support and encourage positive attitudes towards Welsh language use. Some Welsh used as a language of communication with pupils to improve capacity to use everyday Welsh.

The school communicates with parents either in English or in both languages

Normal expectation is that pupils will transfer to English medium secondary provision and continue to learn predominantly through the medium of English, learning Welsh as a second language. 

TR2

(Transitional School)

English medium school/provision or those with a high proportion of Welsh provision transitioning to being a dual language school/provision over time.

Curriculum provision and learners’ school activities will reflect an increase in Welsh medium provision over time. 

The increase in Welsh provision over time would reflect the everyday use of the Welsh language. 

The school communicates with parents in both languages

This is a bridging category between two main language categories. These transitional arrangements enable schools to plan how they will realise an increase in Welsh-medium provision over time. Increasing the Welsh-medium provision, in order to move to the next category, Category 2 would be the outcome.

2

(Dual Language)

At least 50% of learners’ school activities (both curricular and extra-curricular) will be in Welsh. This could be achieved in different ways depending on the school context. It could be by using full Welsh-medium immersion up to age 7 with choice offered in the other year groups, or that 50% of school activities are in Welsh throughout.

A learner in a school of this category will be able to speak, read, write and listen in English and Welsh according to age and ability. Welsh language skills will be further strengthened by increasing the amount of learning opportunities (curricular as well as extra-curricular) offered through the medium of Welsh. Where Welsh is used as a medium of learning, occasional English is used at times to reinforce the learners' understanding

Welsh and English will be used for internal communication as well as with parents and carers. There is clear understanding that maintaining a Welsh language ethos within the school will support positive attitudes towards Welsh language use.

Both Welsh and English are used in the day-to-day business of the school.

Language of communication is determined by nature of curricular provision. The school communicates with parents in both languages.

With the right support, learners could progress to a Category 3 Welsh-medium secondary school.

TR3

(Transitional School)

Dual language (Welsh and English) school/provision transitioning to being a Welsh medium school/provision over time

Curriculum provision and learners’ school activities will reflect an increase in Welsh medium provision over time.

The increase in Welsh provision over time would reflect the everyday use of the Welsh language. 

The school communicates with parents in both languages

This is a bridging category between two main language categories. These transitional arrangements enable schools to plan how they will realise an increase in Welsh-medium provision over time. Increasing the Welsh-medium provision, in order to move to the next category, Category 3 would be the outcome.

3

(Welsh medium school)

All learners are taught fully in Welsh, with English being used on occasion to ensure understanding during early immersion. From aged 7 onwards at least 80% of learner’s school activities (both curricular and extra-curricular) will be in Welsh.

Foundation Phase – medium of Welsh.

Key Stage 2 (KS2) – at least 80% of teaching through medium of Welsh.

Welsh is the school’s main language of internal communication. Communication with parents and carers is in either English, Welsh or bilingually as needed. This is a school with a strong Welsh language ethos at its core, supporting and enabling learners’ Welsh language use in all social context in and outside of school.

Pupils, regardless of home language will be able to transfer to Welsh medium secondary provision and by the end of KS2 will have reached equivalent standard in English to that reached by pupils in predominantly English medium schools.

Secondary Schools

Curriculum

Language of School

Outcomes

Welsh will be taught and assessed as part of the Area of Learning and Experience (AoLE) for languages, literacy and communication. A learner in a school of this category will be able to speak, read, write and listen in English and according to age and ability. 

At least 40% of learners undertaking at least 40% of school activities (both curricular and extra-curricular) in Welsh.

Welsh and English will be used for internal communication as well as with parents and carers. There is clear understanding that maintaining a Welsh language ethos within the school will support positive attitudes towards Welsh language use.

Welsh medium 

Category 3 schools are expected to continue to reflect the linguistic context of the area whilst working towards increasing their Welsh-medium provision over time.

Learners will be able to speak, read, write and listen in Welsh and English according to age and ability.

Pupils will be able to progress to Welsh medium Post 16 provision.

100% of learners will undertake at least 90% of their school activities (curricular and extra-curricular) in Welsh.

Learners will be able to speak, read, write and listen in Welsh and English according to age and ability.

Pupils will be able to progress to Welsh medium Post 16 provision